Danny reached up and touched his curls. “Mom said since it’s my hair, I can decide when to cut it.”
Sylvia glanced at Brooke and smiled. “Smart mom.”
Brooke returned her smile. “Well, I figured there will always bigger battles to fight.”
The older woman nodded. “That is so very true.”
“Is this better?”
Lucas and his mom turned around as Lindsay walked up behind them.
Gone was the power business suit. In its place was a knee length jean skirt and a gauzy light pink blouse with cap sleeves that flowed out over her hips from the gathering just below her bust line. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail and though she still wore some makeup, it wasn’t the airbrushed look she’d had on earlier.
“Much,” Lucas said with a nod. “What do you think, Danny? Better?”
Danny looked up at Brooke, a panicked expression on his face. She grinned at him. “Your uncle said she wouldn’t bite, so I think you can agree with him that this is better.”
Brooke looked up to meet Lindsay’s gaze head on. The stare-down lasted for about two seconds before a corner of Lindsay’s mouth lifted in a half-grin that was so familiar. Brooke felt the defensive shield slip a bit more.
“Yeah, well, it feels better, too,” Lindsay said with a grin in Danny’s direction. “You hungry? I know I am.”
The last of the tension seemed to ease away as Lucas led the way into the kitchen. “Hello, Stella.”
A middle age woman turned from the stove to smile at them. “Hi, Lucas. You ready for dinner?”
“The vote has been taken and the results say we’re hungry.” Lucas gestured to a table that was set for five beside a large bay window in a nearby nook.
Uncertain what to do with the basket still in her hands, Brooke held it out to Lucas as they moved to the table.
He took it from her and lifted the covering to peek inside. When he covered it again, he grinned at Brooke and said, “They look delicious. I can’t wait to try them.”
“Remember to share,” she said as she walked past him to the seat Sylvia indicated.
“Never.” Lucas set the basket on the counter and after holding the chair for his mother, went around to take a seat at the other end of the table.
“Stella, this is Brooke and Danny,” Lucas said with an affectionate smile at the woman who had joined them from the kitchen. “Stella has been with our family for longer than I can remember. She’s the reason my mother and Lindsay have never needed to learn how to cook.”
“Or you, either, brother dear,” Lindsay said with what looked like more than just a light pat on his arm. “Let’s not be sexist here.”
“Hey, I can make a mean pot of mac and cheese,” Lucas said defensively.
“Will you say grace, Lucas?” Sylvia asked after everyone was seated.
Brooke glanced at Danny, who was already bowing his head. She folded her hands in her lap and followed her son’s lead.
Lucas cleared his throat and began to pray. “Father, we thank You once again for Your many blessings. Thank you for health and strength and for the food that has been prepared for us. Bless the conversation around this table and thank you that Brooke and Danny are able to join us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
As the conversation swirled around her, Brooke felt no need to join in. Danny seemed to have settled down and was happily answering questions directed at him by his aunt and grandmother. It was a bit odd to think of these two women in those roles as in the past they had applied only to Victoria and their mom. Her ultimate concern in all of this was for Danny, but she was glad that he seemed to be taking it all in stride.
The meal, not surprisingly, was delicious. Perfectly roasted chicken with perfectly roasted potatoes. Even though she cooked on a regular basis, Brooke knew that Stella even outshone anything she’d be able to cook. Following the main meal came a dessert of chocolate cake that tasted absolutely divine.
Once they were done, Lucas suggested he and Danny go for a swim. Danny enthusiastically agreed, and the two disappeared to get changed.
Brooke felt a little uncomfortable leaving Stella with all the clean-up but when she offered her help to the woman, she refused her offer with a smile.
“We can go sit on the porch to watch them,” Lindsay suggested. “Unless you wanted to go for a dip as well.”
Brooke shook her head. “I didn’t bring a suit.”
“I’m sure we could find something for you around here. Right, Mom?” Lindsay said.
“I think Trish left a bunch of suits the last time she was here. Seems she couldn’t decide which one to wear and rejected most of them.”
“Trish is my cousin’s girlfriend. Or she was. I think she was about your size.”
“That’s okay. Danny is the fish in the family.” That wasn’t entirely true, but Brooke really wasn’t in the mood to get into a swimsuit in front of virtual strangers.
Lindsay led the way out the French doors beside where they’d finished eating. The porch was more like a four season sunroom…nothing like the porches attached to her house.
“It’s still very warm out,” Sylvia observed as she sat down in one of the chairs facing the large pool beyond the porch. “Can you turn the fan on, darling?”
Lindsay went to the wall and turned the switch that activated the overhead fan.
Keenly missing the presence of Danny and even Lucas, Brooke settled into a chair that also faced the pool. There were plants all over the room. Some with blossoms on them, some with just an abundance of green leaves.
The sound of voices approaching drew Brooke’s attention from the scenery. Danny stepped into the room, followed by Lucas. Brooke smiled at the excitement on Danny’s face. Then her gaze went past her son and landed on a very masculine chest. Though he wore swim trunks similar to Danny’s, there was no doubt that Lucas was all man.
Knowing there was no way she could meet Lucas’s gaze without blushing even though his was definitely not the first bare male chest she’d ever seen, Brooke looked back at Danny. “Rules of the pool still apply here.”
Danny nodded and then looked up at Lucas. “Can we swim now?”
“Sure thing.” Lucas laid his hand on Danny’s shoulder as they walked toward the screen door that led out to another porch and then the pool.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Brooke jerked her head around at Lindsay’s question. “No. Do you?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
LINDSAY lifted a brow at her response then grinned. “No. I don’t either. I was just wondering if there was someone else in Danny’s life we should be meeting as well. Lucas said he didn’t know.”
“No. I’m not dating anyone. Danny is my focus right now. And I’m very particular about who I let into my life.”
“I hear ya. You just can’t be too careful these days. And some guys…well, they’re just schmucks.”
“Lindsay Marie Hamilton.”
“Sorry, Mom, but you know it’s true.” Lindsay stretched out her legs, crossing her ankles as she propped her heel on the wicker table in front of where she sat. “The last guy I dated managed to hide that he was facing bankruptcy and needed an influx of cash to save his floundering business. As far as I’m concerned, he should have gone into acting because he just about managed to get me down the aisle.”
“Really? What happened?”
“Lucas decided to do a background check on him after I forbade him to.” Lindsay scowled. “I’m not sure who I hated most in the days that followed that revelation. Me, Lucas or the schmuck.”
“I dated a bit after Lincoln, but once I realized I was pregnant, no one was really interested in me. And then I had Danny and knew that he was my priority. I haven’t come across a guy yet who has made me regret that decision. I’ve gone out on a few dates just to pacify my mother, but none of them were guys I wanted anything to do with long term.”
“Lucas doesn’t have a girlfriend.” This time it was Sylvia who spoke. He
r gaze was on the pool, but Brooke sensed a loaded message beneath her words.
“Yeah, but he’s had some crazy ones in his time, too.”
“He told me about the Lincoln test he used to put his girlfriends through.”
A sad smile curved Lindsay’s lips. “Yeah. I used to feel sorry for the girls, but honestly, if they couldn’t resist Lincoln, they didn’t deserve Lucas.”
“He needs someone who sees him for his worth.” Sylvia glanced over at Lindsay. “You both are worth so much more than your bank accounts. I think there’s someone out there who will recognize that.”
“Maybe for Lucas.” Lindsay crossed her arms and sank further down on the seat.
“So do you plan to spend the rest of your life by yourself?” Sylvia asked, her gaze on her daughter.
“We’ve had this discussion before, Mom. You know my answers. Why don’t you ask Brooke?”
When Sylvia’s gaze swung her way, Brooke braced herself.
“Do you, like Lindsay, plan to spend the rest of your life alone?”
“I haven’t really thought that long term. As I said, Danny is my focus.”
“What do you do?” Sylvia asked.
Brooke hesitated then said, “I paint. I have a gallery that sells my paintings.”
Interest sparked in Sylvia’s gaze. “What kind of painting do you do?”
“Usually I work with oils but I’ve done some watercolors, too. Mostly nature scenes.”
“You’ll have to show me some time,” Sylvia said with a smile. “Lincoln loved art, too, apparently. He has several paintings up in his room. Maybe you should look at them before you leave.”
Brooke happened to glance at Lindsay in time to see her staring at Sylvia and shaking her head. “Sure, I’d like that.”
Lindsay’s gaze shot her way and in that instant Brooke knew that what she’d suspected earlier was true. Brooke stared at Lindsay as she said, “Does Lucas also enjoy art?”
His sister blinked and looked away.
Brooke turned her attention back to Sylvia when the woman said, “Why yes, now that you mention it, he just brought home three new paintings yesterday.”
Gotcha!
“I haven’t had a chance to look at them yet because he hasn’t had them unpacked. I’m eager to see what they’re like.” Sylvia beamed. “He assured me that they are quite lovely.”
Brooke returned the woman’s smile, though she had no doubt it didn’t look anywhere as near as beaming as Sylvia’s. “I’ll have to ask him to show me as well.”
Her comment brought a groan from Lindsay, and Brooke looked over at her in time to see her close her eyes and tip her head back against the chair.
“Do you sell many paintings?” Sylvia asked.
“I’ve sold almost all I’ve painted. I’ve been one of the fortunate ones who’s had a benefactor for several years. They’ve purchased every painting I’ve put up for sale in the gallery.”
Interest sparked in Sylvia’s gaze. “Do you know who they are? Or are they anonymous?”
“They preferred anonymity, and about six months ago they stopped buying. But, fortunately, another benefactor has apparently picked me up. I just sold three of my paintings yesterday.”
“Three? Yesterday?” Sylvia’s gaze went to where her daughter sat and then out to the pool. The woman might not have come across as a business woman like her daughter, but she was clearly no dummy.
Lindsay picked up a pillow and covered her face.
“Lindsay?”
The woman pulled the pillow from her face and sat up. She looked straight at Brooke and said, “So what do you do for fun? In your free time?”
Brooke arched a brow in response, but decided to give her a break because as far as she knew, Lindsay wasn’t part of the anonymous purchases. “I enjoy baking. That’s something Danny and I do together. We usually take some around to our neighbors. We bike a lot in the summer. I enjoy being outdoors so I also do some gardening.”
“I saw you brought a basket in with you. Is that some of your baking?” Lindsay asked.
“Yep. At Lucas’s request, Danny and I made some muffins and cookies this morning.”
“At Lucas’s request?” Sylvia asked.
“Yes. The first day he showed up, we’d made some. Apparently he liked them.”
“Why don’t you go get them, darling?” Sylvia suggested. “And bring back something to drink as well.”
Lindsay seemed more than happy to escape the conversation.
“Thank you for bringing Danny over,” Sylvia said once Lindsay had left. “I know there’s been a lot for the two of you to take in these past few days. And I also know that you haven’t been treated well by my son. Thank you for not holding that against us.”
“I’ve had my reservations,” Brooke admitted. She figured if the woman was being honest, so would she. “But in the end, it was Danny’s call how much he wanted you in his life. He’s known about Lincoln from the time he was old enough to ask why other kids had a daddy and he didn’t.”
“Lucas mentioned that you had told Danny all about Lincoln.”
“Well, what little I knew. To be honest, I really didn’t know him that well. We were only together a short time and fun was more the name of the game than getting to know each other. I knew when I first met Lincoln that it wouldn’t be anything long term. I just never imagined I’d be left with such a blessing from a casual relationship. I don’t regret anything because I have Danny.”
“And it seems you’ve done a wonderful job with him.”
“I try.”
Lindsay returned with a tray. “Here we go.” She set it down on the wicker table. “Drink, Mom?”
Sylvia nodded and took the tall frosted glass Lindsay handed her.
“It’s lemonade,” Lindsay said as she held out a glass to Brooke.
“Thanks. Perfect for a hot day.”
Lindsay picked up the basket and peeled back the cover. “These look wonderful.”
“Not quite on par with Stella’s chocolate cake,” Brooke said. “But we like them.”
Lindsay walked over to the screen wall facing the pool. “Hey, Luc! We’re eating your cookies.”
Brooke watched as Lucas stroked through the water toward them. He placed his hands on the edge of the pool and hefted himself out of the water. As he stood, water sluiced down his body to splatter on the concrete beneath his feet. He grabbed his towel and rubbed it over his head and torso.
“Hey, Danny, let’s have a cookie break.”
Danny got out of the pool a little more reluctantly. Of course, he ate their cookies all the time. The pool was definitely of more interest to him.
Brooke thought Sylvia might object to them tracking water into where they sat, but she soon realized that the furniture wouldn’t likely be harmed by a little water.
“These are delicious,” Lindsay said.
“Did you make these, Danny?” Sylvia asked as she held up a cookie.
“Yep. Mom told me that every man should know how to cook and bake because there’s no guarantee he’ll end up with a woman who can.”
Lucas laughed. “Well, that would certainly be the case for any man who ends up with Lindsay.”
“Shut up,” Lindsay said as she popped the last bite of her cookie into her mouth.
Brooke found the interaction between the siblings interesting. She and Eric had been close as children since they’d been less than two years apart in age, but by the time they hit their teens, they were each reacting to the changes in their lives differently. Eric had tended to withdraw from everything—church, their parents, friends, and family. She, on the other hand, had done her best to make her parents and everyone around her miserable.
Since his return home, they still hadn’t reconnected in a way that would allow them to be like Lucas and Lindsay. It had gotten better recently, but they still weren’t that close. She struggled with how easily he’d been able to forgive their dad for what he had done to their family. And
then there was their mom. Brooke knew that she would have had grounds to divorce their dad without anyone faulting her, but no, she’d stayed with him even after all the pain and humiliation. Who did that?
She couldn’t even contemplate taking a guy back after being hurt and betrayed by them on such an intimate and personal level. Lincoln’s betrayal had involved Danny and even then she wouldn’t have taken him back into her life.
Part of her wondered if her mother had stayed because she just hadn’t had any other choice. Two kids. Another on the way. She couldn’t exactly do it on her own without a job. Which was why Brooke had never wanted to be dependent on someone who could leave her high and dry without any options.
Only…that’s what had happened even without her being aware of it. Six months without a sale and she’d been close to high and dry. Lincoln had made her dependent on him without her knowledge and the same thing could have happened with Lucas, but that wasn’t going to be the case if she could help it.
“Mom?”
Danny’s voice broke through her thoughts. She glanced around and realized all eyes in the room were on her. “Sorry, sweetie. What’s up?”
Before Danny could reply, Lucas said, “I was just asking you if you’d be interested in going out to our cabin for a few days.”
“Cabin?”
“Yes. We have a place about four hours north of Minneapolis.”
“It’s really lovely,” Sylvia said. “And lots to do. There’s a boat and a couple of Jet Skis.”
“Mom!” Danny looked like he was about ready to jump off his seat with excitement. “Can we go?”
Brooke looked at Lucas, hoping that he could see her annoyance at being put on the spot like that. “Let me talk a bit more with Lucas about it before we decide.”
“Sounds good,” Lucas said as he stood. “Want to go for another swim, buddy?”
“Sure.”
Brooke watched her son follow his uncle back out to the pool. She told herself she’d raised Danny to not be swayed by money or things, but for a ten-year-old boy it was a bit unrealistic to think that he wouldn’t want to play with the toys that only money could buy.
Forever My Love: A Christian Romance (The McKinleys Book 2) Page 7
